I think my mother has Dementia..I'm a Registered Nurse...I have worked with people who have various forms of D

various forms of Dementia such as Alzheimers.I dont believe she has Alzheimers.....there is a difference.Dementia runs in her family.She will be 80 years old this February 2008.We recently went out to eat at a Restaurant called Uno Chicago Grill.She has eaten there 2 previous times.Once just recently a year ago.She could not recall eaten there???? My sister says OHHH....she's just an 80 year old woman......Bullshit!!!.....her personality has changed too.She has had significant weightloss as well as other factors......I believe earnestly that she has dementia.....any feedback????

She does have hardening of the arteries.She does not have alzeheimers.She still drives...You really cant always tell that anything is wrong....

They can do tests to determine the degree of dementia. Some dementia's can be identified. I used to work in a Senior Advantage Assessment Clinic through Kaiser which was excellent in evaluating this and discussing medications and resources. See if there is anything like this in your area.

Well, you know there is DAT (dementia of alzhiemers type) and demetia related to vasular factors. My grandmas has the same issues. She doesn't have DAT but she can no longer remember some people or where she is. She does know who she is and family members who are with her everyday. Does she have vascular or cardiac issues issues? Has she had any TIA's or stoke? Has she been put on any new meds? How is her kidney function? We know dementia at any age is not normal. Start exploring some of those possiblities. Good Luck.

You ar an RN, I'm not sure what question you are asking, but it does sound like dementia, which yu know is not unusual as people age, and being that it runs in the family. Of course you need to make sure shes lliving in a safe environment . If she can no longer take care of herself maybe its time to look into a full time nurse for her or look at whats availavle in nursing homes. Good luck.

Since you are an RN, what would you do if someone came to you with this question?

That is your answer.

I am not trying to be smart. I know it is always hard when the problem seems to be in your own family. You know the long course ahead for your whole family. I wish the best possible for you.

I would take her to her doctor and have her evaluated by them and also by a doctor who specializes in geriatrics if her doctor doesn't . As a nurse you should know what your options are. Because your mother has trouble remembering things may not be a sign of dementia, it could be some of the medications that she's on. A lot of times what we think is dementia is medications inter acting with each other or an over abundance of medications. Take her to a doctor of geriatrics and take all of her medications and her medical history and see what they say. That is the only way that you will be truly sure what's going on, and allow you and the rest of the family to make plans if she is developing dementia.

She may have vascular dementia r/t to the changes in her cerebral arteries. I would get a full physical exam so they could rule out other possibilities......UTI, thyroid problems, Vit. B-12 def., depression....etc. There are many things that are reversible and can mask the s/sx of dementia.